woman, anxiously bustling past him, and
lifting the hand-lamp as she went. "I guess it's only Dimmett's been
sick"--The last words were nearly lost in the distance, and in the
draught a door closed after her, and the two captains were left alone.
Some minutes went by before they suddenly heard the sound of a
familiar voice.

"I don't know but what I will, after all, step in an' set down for
just a minute," said the hearty voice of little Captain Witherspoon.
"I'll just wash my hands here at the sink, if you'll let me, same 's I
did the other day. I shouldn't have bothered you so late about a mere
fish, but they was such prime mackerel, an' I thought like's not one
of 'em would make you a breakfast."

"You're always very considerate," answered Mrs. Lunn, in spite of what
she felt to be a real emergency. She was very fond of mackerel, and
these were the first of the season. "Walk right in, Cap'n Witherspoon,
when you get ready. You'll find some o' your friends. 'Tis 'The
Cap'n,' gentlemen," she added, in a pleased tone, as she rejoined her
earlier guests.

If Captain Witherspoon had also indulged a hope of finding his love
alone, he made no sign; it would be beneath so valiant and gallant a
man to show defeat. He shook hands with both his friends as if he had
not seen them for a fortnight, and then drew one of the Windsor chairs
forward, forcing the two companions into something like a social
circle.

"What's the news?" he demanded. "Anything heard from the new minister
yet, Crowe? I suppose, though, the ladies are likely to hear of those
matters first."

Mrs. Lunn was grateful to this promoter of friendly intercourse. "Yes,
sir," she answered quickly; "I was told, just before tea, that he had
written to Deacon Torby that he felt moved to accept the call."

Her eyes shone with pleasure at having this piece of news. She had
been thinking a great deal about it just before the two captains came
in, but their mutual dismay had been such an infliction that for once
she had been in danger of forgetting her best resources. Now, with the
interest of these parishioners in their new minister, the propriety,
not to say the enjoyment, of the rest of the evening was secure.
Captain Witherspoon went away earliest, as cheerfully as he had come;
and Captain Shaw rose and followed him for the sake of having company
along the street. Captain Crowe lingered a few moments, so obtrusively
that he seemed to fill the whole sitting-room,